The Nigerian Navy has offered a free medical service to residents of Ugep community of Yakurr Local Government Area in Cross River State.
As part of activities to mark its 50th Anniversary, the Nigerian Navy said the gesture was also part of its social responsibility to the public, especially the vulnerable who cannot afford medical services.
The Medical team was led by Commodore Tanko Pani who represented the Flag Officer Commanding of Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral James Oluwole.
Commodore Pani said attaining the Golden Jubilee was a great feat to the command and giving back to the society was a great way of marking the milestone.
He urged the community to embrace the gesture while promising that the Navy would not relent in its commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s waterways.
In his remarks, the Commander of the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital in Calabar, Surgeon Rear Admiral Abubakar Yusuf, described the medical rhapsody as a means of promoting good health among communities.
While some of the beneficiaries, who were at least 50,000 commended the initiative, the Paramount Ruler of Ugep, Obol Opon Offem Ubana, also expressed gratitude to the Navy for choosing his community for the exercise.
The healthcare services rendered include eye screening, distribution of eye glasses as well as referral for surgery if need be.
Other free services were blood pressure checks, diabetes screening, malaria treatment, de-worming, distribution of insecticide treated mosquito nets, drugs, and a health talk.
